PHILIPPI -- It's not just hype. Philip Barbour's Scott Mayle is that good.
Philip Barbour's star senior halfback rambled for 238 yards on 15 carries, scoring three touchdowns, in a 38-7 victory over an improved but mistake-prone Grafton team on Friday.
Mayle raced 62 yards for a touchdown on the game's first play from scrimmage. He also ran in the two-point conversion, staking the Colts to an 8-0 lead.
Minutes later, Mayle plunged in from the 1. Fullback Andrew Sweet pushed the score to 16-0 with the conversion run.
Grafton answered at the 9:14 mark of the second quarter as Trampus Efaw scored from 3 yards out. Stuart Strauss' point-after kick cut the margin to 16-7. Grafton scored eight plays after a Philip Barbour fumble.
A Philip Barbour fumble set up another scoring chance for Grafton before halftime, but the Bearcats coughed up the ball at the Colts 13.
Philip Barbour marched 87 yards in less than minute with Mayle, Sweet, Josh Moore and quarterback Mike Poling all contributing. Mayle finished the drive, sprinting from 12 yards out, leaving the score at 22-7 at the half.
Sweet and Moore both scored third quarter TDs to close the scoring at 38-7. Moore also went over the century mark, rushing for 104 yards on 12 carries in the sophomore's first varsity game.
"I knew (Moore) was good, but I didn't know he was that good," Mayle said. "I think he's been holding out on us in practice."
Mayle was also quick to point out the play of his offensive line.
"Everybody was hitting their blocks and holding them, which enabled the backs to accelerate into the holes," he said.
Philip Barbour coach Mike Michael was pleased with the win but acknowledged there is work to be done.
"I think we found out tonight that we have four good backs and a line that can be effective, but the 85 penalty yards and the turnovers can't keep happening," Michael said.
